SAN JOSE, Calif., May 20 -- Silicon Valley Group (SVG) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have established a precision optics manufacturing center for the US Department of Energy's National Ignition Facility (NIF). The center, located in Richmond, Calif., will fabricate optical components as large as 1.3-ft-diameter square lenses for the NIF. The jointly owned facility, featuring a staff of 40 engineers and technicians, also will be available for future aerospace research and other commercial purposes, provided such projects do not interfere with the work for NIF. This is the continuation of a long partnership with LLNL on laser fusion programs, which we have supported for the past 25 years, stated Bob Aronno, president of SVG's Tinsley Division.